Archive for the ‘Solutions’ Category

Tip: Best Citrix Receiver support in town, IGEL LX/OS 5.06.10x

Monday, May 18th, 2015

Hello Folks,

maybe you used already the Citrix Receiver Switch in IGEL Linux Firmwares before Version 5.06.10x.

This old switch allowed you to switch between Citrix Receiver 12 and 13 and this was already really a unique feature. Since Version 5.06.10x you can switch between three Receiver Version, this allows you to choose the Receiver Version which works best for your requirements but you should note a few things.
From the release notes:

– Removed parameter “ica.useversion13″. Parameter was replaced by ica.activeversion
– Added parameter “ica.activeversion”, which is available in the registry and on page “Citrix > Citrix Receiver Selection”
in setup/UMS. This parameter is set to “Default” by default, which means that the used Citrix Receiver version is
the recommended version for the particular firmware version (in this firmware it is Receiver 13.1.3).
It is possible to change this behavior by pinpointing a specific Receiver version here, but if a later firmware
version does not contain the chosen version, the default version of this later firmware will be used instead.
CAUTION: Please note that the default version up to this firmware was 12.1.8 for a long time now.
With this firmware release, it switches to 13.1.3. You have to change “ica.activeversion” if you insist on
continuing to use Receiver 12.1.8.

This means, if you want to configure this thru the UMS the old Profiles will not work!!! You need to create a new profile for the new 5.06.10x firmware and than you are required to make the configuration thru System->Registry. Be warned, if you not perform this configuration in advance it can happen that the User is not able to connect to your Citrix environment. Tip: You can assign the old configuration (optimized for the Firmware < 5.06.100) and the new configuration at the same time thru the UMS. The firmware will choose the right setting by there own.

Cheers

Michael

Solution: A big day for IT Administrators… Youtube now using HTML5 by default!

Friday, January 30th, 2015

Hi Folks,

you are a Terminal Server/VDI Administrator and you hate Flash content in Websites? Unsecure.. Slow.. Resource intensive?

Than you should be happy, one of the most expensive none commercial website for companies (regarding the resource consumption in a Terminal Server/VDI backend) moved from Flash to HTML5 as standard: YouTube 🙂

Now you have only to get a HTML5 enabled browser in your Terminal Server/VDI VM’s like Internet Explorer 11, Chrome or a Firefox Beta supporting HTML5.

You can read the article also here: YouTube Blog

Cheers

Michael

Info: cloud-client.info UMS Live Webserver will be offline since today

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

Hello Folks,

since today the cloud-client.info UMS Live Webserver will be offline and not available anymore, the project was designed as beta only and regarding the required resources to keep it running it doesn’t make sense for us to continue this service.

Please use our UMS Appliance for Microsoft Hyper-V for future tests/demonstrations.

Cheers

Michael

Why the Cisco VPN client is gone in the IGEL LX firmware…

Sunday, December 14th, 2014

Hi Folks,

you wonder why the Cisco VPN Client is gone in the IGEL Firmware? The information in the firmware release notes is more than moderate…

Seems to be simple.. First of all the Cisco VPN Client is very old.. ..i mean very old (see here: Cisco VPN Release Notes), so it’s outdated now.

Cisco has an alternative called Anyconnect but it seems that Cisco don’t want to provide all Thin Client Vendors the right for distribution. Ok.. They are alternatives, maybe Cisco want to loose some marketshare but who knows. I got already the first Company/Customer moving away from Cisco (incl. PBX). Sad but if you are looking for a VPN solution you might should try NCP or Citrix Netscaler (last one is available as a free Express Edition for your test or personal/company use with a 1MB/s bandwidth limit).

If you are a lost Cisco VPN customer you should also contact the IGEL Technology support to discuss the missing VPN Client feature and possible solutions.

Cheers

Michael

Info (updated): IGEL Linux and Shellshock security issue

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Hello Folks,

already a few days the Linux/MacOSX Shellshock issue is sneaking around the internet, one question: Is the IGEL Linux affected?

Here is the answer: Yes

All IGEL Linux Version up to Firmware 5.04.100 have a Bash Version lower than 4.3 installed, means all these systems are affected.

You can check this quite easy with the command “bash –version”

or enter the following comand in a Terminal Session:

test=”() { echo Hello; }; echo Hacked” bash -c “”

Is it critical? Depends on your configuration, by default the IGEL System is very secure and the regular user don’t have any option to gain access to the command line or to a configuration to enter these “variable” hacks. So as long the user can not access the command line nothing will happen, there is no webserver or similar to sneak in with some dirty “cheats”.

So we classify this issue as “Low” for a regular configured IGEL Linux based Thin Client.

I will update you and provide a fix asap for the x86 based Linux (iam sorry but i don’t have a ARM platform to provide a ARM compiled bash replacement), these fix can be used until IGEL will release a firmware update to fix this issue.

Update: IGEL has released fixed firmwares for all current devices.

Cheers

Michael

Release: Pidgin Multichat Tool for the IGEL Linux (LX/OS) x86 custom partition package

Thursday, September 18th, 2014

Hello Folks,

after some time I would like to introduce a new custom partition sample package for the IGEL Linux, this time it’s the Pidgin Multichat Tool.

pidgin

 

cloud-client.info Pidgin custom partition sample
———————————————————

Version: 1.0.0

Release Date: 18.09.2014

Copyright 2014 cloud-client.info

EMail: blog@cloud-client.info

For use with IGEL Universal Management Suite 4.07.110 or higher only!

Tested with IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS Firmware 5.04.100

WARNING: ONLY FOR TESTS AND PERSONAL USE – NOT FOR PRODUCTION!
General Informations – Tems of use
———————————-

The use in public presentations, for comparing the IGEL products with other solutions or a public release in any other form is not permitted without the written permission by the author.

Universal Desktop and Universal Management Suite is a registered Trademark of IGEL Technology.

IGEL Technology and cloud-client.info will not support this partial update in any kind.

cloud-client.info is not responsible for any damage or loss, caused by using this partial update sample. You are using this partial update on your own risk!

This custom partition sample is for technical demonstrations and tests only.

Content
——-
This partial Update contains one package:

Pidgin Multichat Client: Pidgin Version 2.10.9
Installation
————
The pack contains also the UMSProfiles.zip, import this file into the IGEL Universal Management Suite to get the required configuration. After the import change the download path’s under System->Firmware Customization->Custom Partition->Download to your download site/server.

Restart the client after the package is deployed.
Starting / Configuring a Pidgin Session
——————————————
After the client reboot a desktop link to the generated script is available on the desktop, the script will be generated in the /config/sessions folder with the name pidgin0.

You can add parameters by modifing the script generation, you can find the script generator in the UMS Profile->System->Firmware Customization->Custom Commands->Desktop Commands->Custom Command Desktop Final area.

The following chat platforms are tested:

Lync 2013 – IM only, no voice or video calls!
Skype – Not supported, skype denied our written request to provide the client thru cloud-client.info.
Facebook – Follow https://www.facebook.com/sitetour/chat.php, use Port 443 and force encryption!
AIM – Just enter your credentials
Google Talk – Follow http://www.pctipp.ch/tipps-tricks/kummerkasten/internet/artikel/google-talk-in-pidgin-einrichten-66194/ (German)
Yahoo – Enter your username without @yahoo.com, as server use scs.msg.yahoo.com and as pager port 80.
ICQ – Just enter your credentials to get it working.
IRC – Regular IRC Setup, nothing special.
MSN – Not tested regarding the fact that Microsoft will discontinue MSN Chat and move it to Skype.

All other services are not tested, it may work but it don’t have to be.

The download is available here: Pidgin for IGEL Linux (LX/OS) x86

The package can be opened and modified with our Deployment Assistant Tool for IGEL Thin Clients (DATI), see also the Whitepaper on our main site.

Have Fun

Michael

Tip: Configure hidden VMWare View settings that are not available in the IGEL Linux Setup incl. registry

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Hello Folks,

you want configure a few more settings for the VMWare View client like mentioned in the following links:
Setting Frames for Real-Time Audio-Video
VMWare View Client Release Notes

…and maybe other Sources.

A couple of these settings are currently not available in the Setup/Registry provided with the IGEL Setup / UMS Profile, but how can you apply it if you need it?

Quite simple, open the IGEL Setup or the UMS Profile and browse to System->Firmware Customization -> Custom Commands -> Desktop Commands.

In the “Custom Command Desktop Final” add the following lines, this sample is for Real-Time Audio-Video Frames configuration.

echo ‘rtav.srcWCamFrameWidth=”320″‘>>/etc/vmware/config
echo ‘rtav.srcWCamFrameHeight=”240″‘>>/etc/vmware/config

Repeat this for all settings you want to deploy, the text between the ‘….’ is the parameter, the configuration will be added to the /etc/vmware/config file after a reboot. If you finished the configuration apply the settings and reboot the device. The settings should be applied now. 🙂

Attention: If you change something else via a profile or the IGEL Setup you must reboot the device to take over the configuration!

Maybe IGEL will include these configuration’s in later Firmware releases but until now (Firmware 5.04.100 / 4.13.180) they are not.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: All configuration’s are done at your own risk!

Tip: Troubleshoot Citrix HDX Flash redirection issues

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Hi Folks,

you have issues with the HDX Flash redirection? Just try the following steps:

 

1) Make sure the Flash Player plugin is installed on the Server and the Client site, it’s not available for ARM based devices like the IZ1(!).

 

2) Disable the Flash Player Auto Update at the Server site!

 

3) Flash redirection in general is not 100% compatible and never could be it.

 

4) Make sure that all Citrix Server Policies for HDX Flash redirection are enabled and configured in the right way.

 

5) Make sure that the Flash Redirection feature is enabled at the client site.

 

6) Make sure content fetching is enabled if the client can not access the Internet directly, this needs to be enabled at the Server and the Client.

 

7) Follow http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX134786, perform the registry settings to disable the Version check:

You can disable the version check by modifying Windows Registry Key on VDA, named “FlashPlayerVersionComparisonMask” which is a dword that should be set to zero.

This needs to be set on each and every VDA you need the checking disabled on.

32-bit OS HKLM\\Software\\Citrix\\HdxMediaStreamForFlash\\Server\\PseudoServer

64-bit OS HKLM\\Software\\Wow6432Node\\Citrix\\HdxMediaStreamForFlash\\Server\\PseudoServer

 

8) Ask user where they have to upload or download data thru websites and verify that these sites will not be redirected. Why? If the content is redirected the user will only see the file system coming from the Thin Client! It’s running redirected local at the client right… 🙂

 

9) For XenApp 6.5 make sure CTX140236 Hotfix is installed, http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX140236

 

10) For XenDesktop 5.x/XenApp 7.x or higher make sure the latest VDA Version incl. Hotfixes are installed.

 

11) If it is still not working add the following Registry Keys to the PseudoServer Registry Part (see 7).

UserEnabledFlashV2 as REG DWORD = 1
IEBrowserMaximumMajorVersion as REG DWORD = Installed IE Version in decimal, for example IE 9 = 9

 

Cheers

Michael

Info: UMS Live is updated to Version 4.07.110

Thursday, July 24th, 2014

Hello Folks,

i just updated the UMS Live Server to 4.07.110 (our public UMS Demonstration platform).

UMS4 LIVE

UMS4 LIVE

 

Connection:
Start the UMS Console and use the following connection settings:

Universal Management Suite Server: ums.cloud-client.info
Port: 443
User Name: ums
Password: live

Required UMS console: IGEL Universal Suite 4.07.110
Access to the UMS internal Webserver on Port 9080 is blocked, Firmware Updates are not possible from this server!

Cheers

Michael

Info: Smartphones in Company environments (or Administrators can’t read).

Monday, July 7th, 2014

Hi Folks,

bring your own device (BYOD) is always a big thing for company’s but very often there is a big question: How can users access there device to sync pictures/contacts and other or to perform a firmware update in a company environment. Very often i got question like “How can i access my xxx phone in a VDI session” or “How can i access pictures..” and so on.

Of course you can install drivers and use USB redirection but depending on the network it will work more or less stable and is mostly not really user frindly. The most vendors also do not really take care about this question.. Why?

Now we come to the paperworks.. Do you know that VDI/Terminal Server use/access is forbidden and a license fault for a couple of vendors?

Let’s check it out, Scenario we have a couple of Apple devices and want to use them or make them available for the Users in a VDI / Company environment. Sounds simple right.. But what are we required to do? We need do deploy the Software/Drivers to the End User Device (Desktop PC/Thin Client) and/or to the Virtual Desktops (incl. Terminal Servers). Now check out the Apple License Agreement for IOS 7 and also ITunes.

From IOS7 License Agreement:

“…and you may not distribute or make the iOS Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple devices at the same time”

From ITunes License Agreement:

“You may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time.”

What do it mean? Quite simple: Software deployment = Forbidden, Use on Terminal Server = Forbidden, Use on VDI = Forbidden

For Windows Phone 8.1 Microsoft denies the use of the Software for “commercial Software Hosting services” without any deeper explanation. For Android devices it depends on the vendor, but mostly here you will find similar parts in the EULA.

This is also one reason why we have discontinued the work on our integration packs for IOS/Android.

So how can you exchange files? Quite simple: Use cloud services like OneDrive, GoogleDrive or similar. Using a Smart Phone as “USB Memory” is mostly obsolete today and there are a bunch of cloud services available to perform the job.

So from my point of view in “company” or “commercial” environments mostly all smart phone vendors only allow the use thru cloud based services incl. Exchange based EMail and that’s it. If you have an other view please share it… 😉

Cheers

Michael

Tip: How to avoid Adobe Flash in Terminal Server/VDI environments with the IGEL LX/OS

Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

Hi Folks,

maybe you also agree that Adobe Flash content is one of the biggest crap that can be used in a Terminal Server/VDI environment. For example youtube or similar site’s mostly waste expensive Server CPU resources only for watching a “funny” video..

flashtaskbar
Yeah… One User with one HD Flash Movie use 41% of  Server CPU resources!

HTML5 is still not a big deal for most site’s, so how can you handle it?

1) Ban it… Block unwanted traffic with a firewall or proxy. This is highly efficient but will upset the user base and maybe you need it (schools/education), so mostly this option is no deal.

2) Buy more Server.. More or less efficient and very expensive (Hardware, licensing, setup and cooling). No deal!

3) Use solutions like Citrix HDX Flash Redirection… More or less efficient, hard to setup and not 100% compatible, it could be a option but it’s not a real solution.

4) Ban it from the servers… I just setup this for a PoC and it seams to be the most efficient way which is also acceptable for most users. So how is the setup?

a) You need IGEL Linux based devices (LX or OS) based on the x86 architecture to do this.

b) Setup a local Firefox browser session and deploy any Version of the Adobe Flash Player for Linux to it (Browser Plugins in the IGEL Setup).

c) Assign a Hotkey to the Firefox Browser Session like ALT+CTRL+i.

d) Setup a IIS/Webserver on any System that is not already running a IIS/Webserver

e) On the Terminal Server/VDI (i recommend to use the golden Image) site open the hosts file which is located in the Windows/System32/drivers/etc folder and edit it. Now add any Website you want to outsource, point it to the “new” Webserver. Example:

192.168.1.150 youtube.com
192.168.1.150 youtube.de
192.168.1.150 anyotheruselessflashsite.com

Do not perform this for any Website which is used for “business” uploads/work! Don’t use a DNS Server to apply the configuration, this might also point the Thin Clients to a “wrong” site… Of course you can also add Webradio Website’s, browser based games or what ever you don’t want to see in a Webbrowser on the server backend. But at all.. It’s not a security solution at all, it’s to save resources only!

f) Create a small HTML Website with a short Text like “This site can not be used on a Server/VDI! Please press ALT+CTRL+i to open the local Browser and use ALT+CTRL+TAB to switch between the Browser/Session.” or similar. Make it simple and easy to understand… Now set this HTML Page as default and 404 error page for the new Webserver (d).

g) Let the user test it… If the User enter www.youtube.com the “new” Website will open and point the user how to work with the local Browser.. For the User it looks “very” embedded into the session, not 100% but it will be good enough to watch movies for most of them.

I know this solution is also not a 100% one and it can be bypassed if the User is using the IP. 😉 ..but it’s not a security solution, the User can watch Movies and you have minimized the wasted CPU resource on your backend. It’s easy to control, high compatible and everyone is happy. From my point it’s currently the best way to handle Flash until it will be fully replaced by HTML5 or any other “better” working solution. The performance depends on the User device, a UD5 will better perform than a UD2 but still: A slow client is better than a slow server for most company environments.

Also some more benefit’s.. You can seperate client traffic from your server traffic quite simple, the customer where i suggest this mentioned that they have 10GB or more “flash” streaming traffic (only youtube) per day in the server infrastructure with a little bit more than 300 user’s. You can use it with any Terminal Server/VDI solution but please note: If using VMWare View, Microsoft RemoteFX, Citrix XenDesktop x.x / XenApp 7.5 or any other solution that support real USB redirection don’t setup USB Redirection for Human Interface Devices (HID) because in this case the Mouse and Keyboard can not be used outside the Session (…and with the local Browser).

You can also add other description’s to the created “manual” website, for example for Android press the home button and open the local Browser or similar.

If you have suggestions to improve this solution feel free to give me a mail or add a comment.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: UD3 / UD5 Mini PCI Express Port and mSata Harddisk

Sunday, May 18th, 2014

Hello Folks,

in the last time i got some reports where user try to connect a mSATA SSD thru the Mini PCI Express Port coming with the IGEL UD3 / UD5 Dual Core Mainboard.

This will not work!!! The Mini PCI Express Port and the mSATA Port are looking equal but they are not.

See also Mini PCI Express Specs and Mini SATA Specs.

There are some Boards offering a “cross” compatible connector but the Port coming with the UD3 and UD5 is a pure Mini PCI Express Port and a mSATA Module will not work with it!

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Using ICA Sessions with IGEL Linux 5.03.100 and XenApp/XenDesktop 7.x

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Hi Folks,

in the release notes for the IGEL Firmware 5.03.100 IGEL mentioned that “single” ICA session are not possible with the Citrix Receiver 12/13 for Linux and XenDesktop/XenApp 7.x:

"- ICA sessions created on the IGEL device only work
with Citrix XenApp servers up to version 6.5."

This statement is not really true because in Citrix Terms it means only ICA Sessions based on the Citrix IMA Service (XenDesktop or XenApp 7.5 is using FMA), it is not right for sessions based on a Server IP Address or Hostname where the IMA service is not required/used.

This is also mentioned in the Citrix Edocs in the XenDesktop/XenApp 7.5 Feature description:

  • Custom ICA files — Custom ICA files were used to enable direct connection from user devices (with the ICA file) to a specific machine. In this release, this feature is disabled by default, but can be enabled for normal usage using a local group or can be used in high-availability mode if the Controller becomes unavailable. 

If configured right it can be also used as small HA “solution” for smaller installations with only one XenDesktop/XenApp controller server, please refer also to:  How to enable simple XenDesktop/XenApp 7.5 HA Mode

To enable the feature in general follow this article: Enable direct ICA connections for XD/XA 7.x

In the ICA Session configuration in the UMS Profile/local Thin Client configuration use only the Server IP/Hostname for the connection (see picture below), if you have more than one Server you need to create seperate profiles for each server and assign the profiles to different clients. Of course this is a “manual” work but you are still able to use the ICA sessions if required, a Citrix Storefront or Webinterface Server is not required in this case. If HA mode is enabled like mentioned also a XenDesktop/XenApp 7.x controller can be offline for a short time period (for example maintenance).

 

icssession

Disadvantage:

1) It will only work in LAN environments.
2) No Load Balancing, the clients will always connect to “one” server or you have to configure “several” ICA sessions per Client.
3) No “roaming” sessions if the User use several Thin Clients and these Clients are connecting to different server.
4) Not really usefull for large environments.

It will work with Citrix Receiver 12 and 13 for Linux but also older Receiver Versions (any OS) should work with it.

Cheers

Michael

Info (Updated): USB 3.0 Memory – Same device with different results or what vendors doesn’t tell you.

Monday, April 28th, 2014

Hi Folks,

did you already got an USB 3.0 Memory or maybe two or more of them for you company? Your Users complain different write/read performance results? Why?
Reason is quite simple, it seams to be a big fun for some vendors to sale “different” devices providing different results with the same device name/part number. My negative sample for today is the Memory Vendor PNY and the Product USB-Stick 128 GB PNY Wave Attache™ USB 3.0 – Part Number FD128GBWAVE30-EF.

I got two of these devices for tests with the IGEL UD5 USB 3.0 Ports and the user was complaining different results with similar USB memory devices, so of course the different result must came from the Thin Client… 🙁 …but this is not the case. 🙂

I was able to reproduce these different results with PC’s, Tablet computer or any other device coming with a USB 3.0 port and the issue was not the thin client; it is the memory device.

The difference was “huge”, the first USB Memory provides a write speed of 60-80 mb/s which is good for a USB Memory but the second one provides only 25mb/s as max. write speed? What? It’s not much faster than a USB 2.0 device…

128 GB PNY Wave Attache, same but different

128 GB PNY Wave Attache, same but different

So i went to a electronic store close by that offers these USB Memory devices and both versions are offered here at the same time, funny but you can see the difference for this product quite simple if you know where to look (expand the upper picture).

Iam sorry to say: For me it’s a little bit “cheating” to work in this way… Provide the fast version for tests and sale “mixed” versions of the same product at the same time and i don’t believe that the production costs are equal. The slow PNY memory seams to be a “better refurbished” USB 2.0 memory and the results are not even close to the results mentioned in public available tests which can be found at Google or what PNY mentions on the package as max. speed.

So i only can recommend to test this in advance! If you buy a bigger amount force the reseller to provide you a “specification” guarantee and as end customer try to replace the device if possible, last one could be hard because the speed for the device is mentioned only “very” flexible by PNY and of course it’s a “low budget” device but a extreme result difference like this should also not happen for a “low budget” device with a brand on it from my point of view.

By this way, PNY is not the only vendor working in this way but regarding the fact that this device is “sold” and “announced” in a massive way at the moment you should have an eye on this.

I also wait for a statement from PNY and how this can be fixed, i will update this article if i got a statement from PNY and the marketing slogan “Make Life Simple” from PNY sounds like a bad joke for me at the moment but maybe there are people who like to play a device “lottery”.

 Update:

I found a 3rd Version and after this test results the best indicator to detect the fast Version is the engraved CE symbol, see picture below. The Version without the CE Mark provides a 3x faster write speed than the one with the engraved CE Mark during my tests. I’ve tested now 7 of these sticks (4 with engraved CE Mark and 3 without the engraved CE Mark), thanks also for the feedback provided by other users confirming these results! Also the slow one has a red LED, the fast one during my test always comes with an orange LED which shows Disk activity.

PNYUSB3SF

 

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: I will keep my two same but different PNY memory devices to have it as negative sample how “Same but not similar device” can look like.

P.S.2: I do not know how much versions are sold by PNY and this is only my personal result, so iam not responsible if there are also other versions with other visible indicators available. Test! Test! Test!

P.S.3: I got already similar results with display vendors (very common) and other devices like smart card readers but in these cases there was always a different revision number available (printed on the packaging and/or device) which clearly mentioned a difference.. This is not the case for the PNY memory device and i really try to find one.

Tip: Disable the Last Logon User shown in the Windows ES W7 Logon screen

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

Hello Folks,

sometimes you don’t need the Auto Logon feature coming with the Windows based IGEL Thin Clients, for example if the device is joined in a domain and you don’t want to see the local Administrator and User account in the Windows Logon Page to make the handling simple for the user.

You can download a new Partial Update for Windows based IGEL Thin Clients here: Download

This Partial Update will disable the Last User Logon Informations in the Windows Logon Screen, the result will look like the screenshot below.

withdisabledlastusername

You can also use this as sample how to deal with a Partial Update for a Windows based IGEL Thin Client. The archive contains the package, a manual as PDF, the required UMS Profile and the project file to edit the Partial Update together with our DATI tool.

Cheers

Michael

Release: XenDesktop 7.5, XenApp 7.5 and Storefront 2.5

Thursday, March 27th, 2014

Hello Folks,

Citrix has released there latest product version of XenApp 7.5 and XenDesktop 7.5 incl. Storefront 2.5.

The new versions are available at the Citrix website www.citrix.com for download now and check out you licensing before upgrading your existing environment.

Have Fun

Michael

P.S.: For a nice Visio stencil of XenApp/XenDesktop 7.5 visit http://blogs.citrix.com/2014/03/26/new-xenapp-7-5-and-xendesktop-7-5-visio-stencils/

Release: cloud-client.info IGEL UMS Template 1.0.70

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

Hello Folks,

there is a new Version of the cloud-client.info IGEL UMS Template available here: Download

1.0.70
——–

– Support for IGEL Zero Firmware 5.02.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop LX V5 (x86) Firmware 5.02.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop OS 2 V5 (x86) Firmware 5.02.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop OS Firmware 4.13.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop LX (x86) Firmware 4.13.100
– Added new Thin Client folder structure for IGEL Zero Clients
– Added default directory rules for IGEL Zero Clients folder structure
– Added Profiles for IGEL Linux V5 and the Shared Workplace Feature to configure a different display resolution
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop OS V5 to enable advanced Graphics support
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to enable the RDP inverted cursor color setting
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to setup a VNC Viewer session
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to disable the Shadowing “disconnect” button for the User
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to configure multiple WiFi access based on different SSID’s
– Fully removed Universal Desktop CE from the UMS Template (last IGEL Windows CE based product goes end of maintenance on 31.03.2014), Profiles are still available as Import file in the “Template via Import” folder but will not be part of the template anymore.
– Changed “Template via Import” subfolder structure, import is now based on OS Version (Linux, Windows ES or CE).
– Removed old Firmwares
– Profiles Total 470

 

Cheers

Michael

Solution: Change Thin Client resolution for Shared Workplace Users with IGEL Linux V5.x.x

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Hello Folks,

if you are using the Shared Workplace Feature (assign Profiles to a Domain User and not to a Thin Client) you maybe have noticed a difference between the IGEL Linux V4 and V5.

In the old V4 Linux it was possible to assign a different resolution to a User to provide the User a lower resolution, this could be required if the User has bad eyes and can not work with an high HD resolution. This feature is gone in the new IGEL Linux V5 but still it can be done by a work around.

First of all you require a Shared Workplace License for the device, otherwise it will not work and also the Shared Workplace Feature must be enabled (Profile->Security->Login). To make it simple i’ve added the required UMS Profiles, just download the Archive and import it into the UMS. The pack contains four profiles:

Generate Resolution Scripts = This sprofile needs to be assigned to all Thin Clients that are using the Shared Workplace feature, it will generate three scripts to switch to the 1028×768, 1440×900 and 1680×1050 resolutions. You can modify this if required in the profile and change or add othere resolution scripts.

Set XXXXxXXX User resolution (3x)= These profiles will switch to the specified resolution by executing one of the previous generated scripts, one of these profiles needs to be assigned to the User which requires an other resolution. If the User performs a “Shared Workplace” Logoff the Client will switch back to the default resolution which is assigned to the client by an other profile (for example your “base” configuration).

The handling should be quite simple and maybe IGEL will provide this feature again together with a later released Firmware but until this you now have a working solution again.

Download: SWPResolutionProfiles

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Check out in advance that your Displays do really support the resolutions you set in this way, otherwise the User will get a black or messy screen… 😉 The ZIP attached to this blog contains also the required firmware settings to prevent UMS import issues, you can directly use the ZIP file for the import.

 

Solution: The King is dead… Long life the King or Citrix XenApp strikes back

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Hi Folks,

did you already noticed a small change at the Citrix Website? http://www.citrix.com/products/xenapp/overview.html

XenApp is back! If you look here: http://www.citrix.com/products/xenapp/whats-new.html it more sounds like a XenDesktop 7 derivate (if you are looking for the old IMA stuff, it’s gone forever and also XenApp 7.5 is using FMA like XenDesktop) but really intresting is the last part on the mentioned site.

Extended Web Interface support

Web Interface support is extended for XenDesktop 7.5 allowing IT to maintain their existing Web Interface investment throughout the migration to the new FlexCast management architecture. (Comment: Funny… The Lack of XenApp 7.5 in this announcement on a XenApp 7.5 related Site means for me: XenApp and XenDesktop 7.5 is nearly the same. (..or someone from the marketing forgot to rework this part of the article. 🙂 ) )

So it’s not only XenApp who is back, it’s also the Citrix Webinterface (against all other Citrix announcements from the past). Iam really intrested to see how this will finaly work but maybe the Citrix Productmanagement has notified that it’s not a good idea for larger Company’s to replace the well proved Webinterface with Storefront regarding the lack of missing features/functions (incl. using an Webinterface Server outside from an Active Directory Domain). Also for XenApp, are XenApp 6.5 features like Worker Groups back? A lot of open questions here…

I did not found much information’s regarding Licensing, Courses or possible Certifications, so there are still also some missing Information’s here (…and enough room for speculations). I hope that Citrix will clearify this soon…

Have fun

Michael

Solution: From dusk till dawn.. The dawn of Sun Ray and Oracles Virtualization solution

Tuesday, January 21st, 2014

Hi Folks,

maybe you already noticed that not only Windows XP is going EOL this year… Oracle´s Virtualization solution and there Thin Client “Sun Ray” do the same this year (see also http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/sunrayproducts/overview/sun-ray-hw-lod-2028854.pdf or here: http://portrix-systems.de/blog/brost/oracle-ends-development-on-sun-ray-and-vdi-technology/)

EOL this year: Sun Ray Thin Clients

EOL this year: Sun Ray Thin Clients

So what can you do if you are a Sun customer? Igel has no official solution which is available “public” but one tip: Ask an IGEL Sales Rep if they can offer you an alternative incl. the Smart Card support to still maintain and run your current environment and have a Thin Client in place which is also ready to work with other VDI Environments like Citrix XenDesktop, VMWare View or Microsofts Remote Desktop Services.

Cheers

Michael